Abstract: A grooved substrate which has a groove for aligning or positioning an optical fiber therein and which can be advantageously used in a multifiber optical connector or for aligning a multiple optical fiber is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width. Particularly, the amorphous alloy of M1—M2 system or M1—M2—La system (M1: Zr and/or Hf, M2: Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, Nb, Ti, V, Cr, Zn, Al, and/or Ga, La: rare earth element) possesses a wide range of &Dgr;Tx and thus can be advantageously used as a material for the grooved substrate. Such a grooved substrate can be manufactured with high mass-productivity by a metal mold casting method or molding method.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sleeve for abutting, aligning, and retaining opposed optical connector ferrules and methods for the production thereof. The sleeve has a tubular body provided at three points on the inner wall surface thereof with ridges of an arcuate cross section extending from one to the other end of the tubular body in the longitudinal direction thereof and a slit formed therein in the longitudinal direction thereof. The sleeve is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sleeve for abutting, aligning, and retaining opposed optical connector ferrules and methods for the production thereof. The sleeve has a tubular body provided at three points on the inner wall surface thereof with ridges of an arcuate cross section extending from one to the other end of the tubular body in the longitudinal direction thereof and a slit formed therein in the longitudinal direction thereof. The sleeve is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width.

Abstract: A process for producing a shaped article, comprising: preparing a first powder having high strength and rigidity after completion of forming, and a second powder having abrasion resistance and surface hardness after completion of forming; compacting those powders to provide a forming material comprising a base part comprising the first powder and a supplemental part comprising the second powder; and forming the forming material into a shaped article by plastic processing, thereby producing a shaped article in which the base part and the supplemental part have different characteristics. The first powder preferably comprises a rapidly-solidified alloy powder and the second powder preferably comprises at least one member selected from among Al2O3, Si3N4, BN, SiC, Al4C3, Al8B2O15 and B2O or a mixture of the member and the first powder which may be the same one actually used as the first powder or another one having a different compositions from that of the actually used first powder.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sleeve for abutting, aligning, and retaining opposed optical connector ferrules and methods for the production thereof. The sleeve has a tubular body provided at three points on the inner wall surface thereof with ridges of an arcuate cross section extending from one to the other end of the tubular body in the longitudinal direction thereof and a slit formed therein in the longitudinal direction thereof. The sleeve is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a formed article of amorphous alloy by a simple process are disclosed. A molding apparatus comprises a forced cooling casting mold which is provided with a sprue and at least one molding cavity communicating with the sprue and further with a cutting member disposed in the casting mold movably in the direction of the sprue, a melting vessel movable in the direction of the sprue, and a molten metal transferring member disposed slidably in the melting vessel or the molding cavity of the casting mold.

Abstract: Disclosed are ferrules for an optical fiber connector provided with an insertion hole for setting an optical fiber in position and methods for the production thereof. The ferrule is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width. Preferably the ferrule is formed of an amorphous alloy having a composition represented by the following general formula and containing an amorphous phase in a volumetric ratio of at least 50%:X.sub.a M.sub.b Al.sub.cwherein X represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr and Hf, M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu, and a, b, and c represent such atomic percentages as respectively satisfy 25.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.85, 5.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.70, and 0<c.ltoreq.35. Such a ferrule can manufactured with high mass-producibility by a metal mold casting method or molding method.

Abstract: A highly wear-resistant aluminum-based composite alloy has improved wear resistant itself and the wear amount of the opposed Fe-based material is decreased as compared with the conventional wear-resistant aluminum alloys. The inventive composite alloy has a structure that at least either a dispersing phase selected from the group consisting of hard fine particles or a solid-lubricant particles having average diameter of 10 um or less is dispersed in an aluminum-alloy matrix which contains quasi-crystals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a formed article of amorphous alloy by a simple process are disclosed. A molding apparatus comprises a forced cooling casting mold which is provided with a sprue and at least one molding cavity communicating with the sprue and further with a cutting member disposed in the casting mold movably in the direction of the sprue, a melting vessel movable in the direction of the sprue, and a molten metal transferring member disposed slidably in the melting vessel or the molding cavity of the casting mold.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy material of high strength and high toughness and a method for the production thereof are disclosed. The material of high strength and high toughness is produced by laterally changing the direction of extrusion of the aluminum alloy thereby imparting shear deformation productive of such strain intensity equals as an equivalent elongation of not less than 220%, preferably not less than 10,000% to the material in the process of extrusion and reducing the average particle diameter of the grains of a microstructure of the material to minute grains not exceeding 1 micron in diameter. The step of extrusion is carried out at a temperature not exceeding 300.degree. C., preferably not exceeding the recrystallization temperature of the alloy, and more preferably not exceeding the recovery temperature thereof.

Abstract: A hard thin film having fine crystalline ceramic particles dispersed in a metallic matrix phase is disclosed. The production of the film is effected by first depositing a substantially amorphous film on a substrate and then heat-treating the deposited film. Deposition of the film on the substrate is carried out by using a source of evaporation having a composition represented by the general formula: Al.sub.a M.sub.b, wherein M stands for at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Ta, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, W, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu and "a" and "b" respectively stand for atomic % in the ranges of 60.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.98.5 and 1.5.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.40, providing a+b=100. Deposition is effected by a physical vapor deposition process in an atmosphere of an inert gas containing a reaction gas while controlling the feed rate of the reaction gas into a chamber in such a manner that the partial pressure of the react/on gas is kept constant or varied continuously or stepwise.

Abstract: A high-strength aluminum-based alloy consisting of a composition represented by the general formula: Al.sub.bal Q.sub.a M.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein Q is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn and Cr; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, and Cu; X is at least one of rare earth elements including Y, or Misch metal (Mm); and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.7, 0.5.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.5, and 0<c.ltoreq.5, the aluminum-based alloy containing quasicrystals in the structure thereof. The quasicrystals may be of an icosahedral phase (I phase), a decagonal phase (D phase), or a crystalline phase akin thereto and the structure may comprise the quasicrystalline phase and a phase formed of any one of an amorphous phase, aluminum, and a supersaturated aluminum solid solution or a composite (mixed phase) thereof.

Abstract: A high-strength aluminum alloy consisting of an amorphous phase containing quasicrystals constituted of aluminum as the principal element, a first additive element consisting of at least one rare earth element and a second additive element consisting of at least one element other than aluminum and rare earth elements, and a crystalline phase consisting of the principal element and the first additive element and the second additive element contained in a supersaturated solid solution form, the amorphous phase containing quasicrystals being contained in a volume percentage of 60 to 90%. The contents of the additive elements preferably fall within a hatched range in the figure, still preferably within a range covered with dot-dash lines in the figure.

Abstract: A magnetic material consisting essentially of A1 and 10 to 50 at. % of at least one capable of alloying with A1 to form quasicrystals (for example, 5 to 25 at. % of at least one member selected between Cu and Pd and 5 to 35 at. % of Mn) and up to 25 at. % of at least one element having a smaller atomic radius than those of the above elements (for example, B). The magnetic material is produced by adding, to a mixture consisting of A1 and at least one element capable of alloying with A1 to form quasicrystals and including at least one transition metal, at least one element having a smaller atomic radius than those of A1 and the above elements to dissolve the element having a smaller atomic radius in a solid solution form in a quasicrystalline phase. The thus obtained magnetic crystal is useful in various applications, such as magnetic recording heads, and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process comprising the steps of forming a cast amorphous alloy from an alloy which exhibits glass transition behavior, heating the amorphous alloy to a temperature between Tg and Tx while subjecting the alloy to drawing to obtain a wire and cooling the wire to (Tg-50 K) or lower. By this process, it is possible to produce an amorphous alloy wire at a low cost and provide an ultrafine wire having high strength and high corrosion resistance as well as flexibility. The amorphous alloy wire can be utilized as a reinforcing wire for a composite material, a variety of reinforcing members, a woven fabric and the like.

Abstract: A process for producing an amorphous alloy material characterized by imparting ductility to an amorphous alloy having a supercooled liquid region by giving a prescribed amount of strain at a prescribed strain rate to the alloy in the glass transition temperature region of the alloy. The amorphous alloy may be in the form of spherical or irregular-shaped powders or thin ribbons or in the form of primary consolidated shapes thereof or an amorphous alloy casting. The amount of strain and strain rate are preferably 50% or greater and 2.times.10.sup.-2 /sec or higher, respectively, and the worked amorphous alloy material is preferably allowed to cool in a furnace or spontaneously. Suitable examples of the amorphous alloy to be employed include Al-TM-Ln, Mg-TM-Ln, Zr-TM-Al and Hf-TM-Al alloys, wherein TM is a transition metal element and Ln is a rare earth metal element. The thus obtained amorphous alloy is greatly improved in the prevention of embrittlement in hot working peculiar to the alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion resistant aluminum-based alloy which is composed of a compound having a composition consisting of the general formula: Al.sub.a M.sub.b Mo.sub.c X.sub.d Cr.sub.e wherein: M is one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Fe, Co, Ti, V, Mn, Cu and Ta; X is Zr or a combination of Zr and Hf; and a, b, c, d and e are, in atomic percentages; 50%.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.89%, 1%.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25%, 2%.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.15%, 4%.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.20% and 4%.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.20%, the compound being at least 50% by volume composed of an amorphous phase. The Al-based alloy exhibits a very high corrosion resistance in severe corrosive environments, such as hydrochloric acid solution or sodium hydroxide solution, due to the formation of a highly passivative protective film. Therefore, the alloy exhibits a good durability in long services under such severe corrosive environments.

Abstract: A process for producing an amorphous alloy forming material having at least 50% by volume of an amorphous phase which comprises a first-stage treatment in which an amorphous alloy is maintained in a temperature range below the glass transition temperature, a second-stage treatment in which the alloy is maintained in a temperature range in the supercooled liquid region for a prescribed period of time, and quenching of the alloy thus treated. The process improves the embrittlement peculiar to amorphous alloys subjected to thermal hysteresis for a long time and provides amorphous alloys having excellent strength, ductility and thermal plastic workability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a corrosion resistant aluminum-based alloy consisting of a compound which has a composition represented by the general formula:Al.sub.a M.sub.b Mo.sub.c Hf.sub.d Cr.sub.ewherein:M is at least one metal element selected from Ni, Fe and Co and a, b, c, d and e are atomic percentages falling within the following ranges: 50%.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.88%, 2%.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25%, 2%.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.15%, 4%.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.20% and 4%.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.20%,the compound being at least 50% by volume composed of an amorphous phase. The aluminum-based alloys not only have a high degree of hardness, strength and heat resistance but also exhibit a significantly improved corrosion resistance.